Salem Hospital reported its first inpatient with a confirmed case of influenza on Dec. 10. Other cases are being reported in Oregon, including some in both Marion and Polk counties. As a result, the mask-on date is set for Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 a.m.

Per organization policy, when the mask-on date begins, any member of the Salem Health team who has not received a flu vaccine will need to wear a mask when working within six feet of a patient. The mask-on requirement includes: employees, volunteers, medical staff and contractors of Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital and Willamette Health Partners.

Salem Health and Salem Clinic are working toward a contracted agreement to share electronic medical records, with the goal of "one patient, one record" via Epic's ambulatory product. It is anticipated that implementation may take the majority of 2015. This effort complements one of the joint contributions of the Common Ground compact: "Jointly make investments in electronic health records that will facilitate achieving an integrated record that supports sharing information across physicians and settings."

The following provides a high level review of key messages at the Dec. 3 Compact Implementation Committee meeting.

Medical staff survey
The survey selection committee is working on the medical staff survey set to launch in February and is reviewing questions submitted by Integrated Healthcare Strategies. The survey will benchmark responses against those of more than 200 hospitals nationally, allowing results to be compared and progress measured on medical staff engagement.

In addition to the benchmark questions, Compact Implementation Committee members discussed adding a question to determine the impact of the Common Ground compact. Members agreed this question should be focused on the goals of the Compact which include collaboration and communication between the medical staff, administration and board.

Breakfast with the CEO
The first Common Ground e-newsletter in January will feature a special message from Norm Gruber announcing the continuation of Breakfast with the CEO. Invitations will continue to be mailed based on credentialing anniversary dates.

Family Fun Night This evening includes 30 minutes of exercise appropriate for all ages and 30 minutes of hands-on nutrition education in healthy cooking. Each family will be introduced to the 5210 healthy living program and invited to participate in the 30-day home challenge for a chance to win prizes.

Participants in this class will learn how to help a baby who is choking, respond to a breathing or cardiac emergency and childproof a home. These techniques use American Heart Association Family and Friends information and can be used with children up to one year of age.

Heartsaver First Aid/CPR This class is intended for anyone who wants to learn CPR and for those who have a duty to respond to an emergency as a first responder. An American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid and CPR/AED card which includes Adult, Child and Infant, is awarded at class completion and is valid for two years.

These meetings offer peer-to-peer support for cardiac patients and families who are young, old and all ages in between. Participants listen, share confidences and experiences, and discuss matters relating to lifestyle changes, depression, recovery and treatment. Medical professionals often join to provide valuable information and answer questions.

The CHEC has compiled a list of resources to assist patients who are overweight, obese or at risk for being overweight or obese. The toolkit includes free web-based nutrition and physical activity programs and classes available in Marion and Polk counties, the 5210 Challenge and other evidence-based tools.

This year the medical staff is trying something new for the annual appreciation dinner. The Salem Hospital medical staff is teaming up with the Marion-Polk County Medical Society (MPCMS) and other local hospitals to offer a joint recognition dinner event. The timing has also changed from the busy month of December to later in January.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at the Red Lion Hotel in Salem. Social hour starts at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

Salem Health Laboratories now offers M. tuberculosis PCR testing direct from sputum specimens. This test also detects rifampin resistance and is approved for use only

with sputum samples from a patient with a clinical suspicion of tuberculosis and who has received less than three days of antituberculosis therapy. Please be aware that this test is not intended as a test of cure, as non-viable bacteria may be detected for up to one year post-antituberculosis therapy.

This test is available as a component of a tuberculosis panel (Epic panel O520975) which includes AFB culture, smear and PCR. Results will be reported within 24 hours of collection.

In accordance with Oregon Public Health recommendations, this test may not be ordered without also ordering an acid fast culture and smear. Positive AFB smear results will be called to the ordering provider and the PCR test may be added at that time.

The fifth-floor work in the 5NE unit of Building B is complete and the transitional care unit (TCU) has moved from 6NE to 5NE. 6NE will remain open as a general surgery unit. This move maximizes the number of patient beds available and minimizes the patient impact as we work to provide a better environment for our patients, staff and physicians.

The No Flu Here League wrapped up in November with the touchdown of all touchdowns... a staggering 99.4 percent participation rate and 460 more vaccinations given than last year. Way to go, team! The marketing and communications team produced a video summarizing the final standings. Watch the video recap.